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AI tracking technology helps find missing cat Grayson in heartwarming story

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Holiday gatherings and year-end travel often lead to an increase in pet disappearances. Doors open more frequently, routines change, and animals can escape in a moment of confusion.

New Year’s Eve brings loud fireworks, and shelters report some of the busiest nights of the entire year. Amidst all this, a Texas family had a heartwarming reunion thanks to AI photo matching at Petco Love Lost.

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FIND A LOST PHONE THAT IS TURNED OFF OR DEAD

AI photo matching at Petco Love Lost helped a Texas family reunite with their lost cat after 103 days. (ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images)

How did AI keep searching for photo matches?

Pam’s 11-year-old house cat, Grayson, had never been outside alone. She believes he slipped away while she was unloading groceries at their home in Plano, Texas. He acted quickly when he realized she was gone.

He said: “We wandered the streets day and night. We went online in the neighborhood and on Love Lost. We put up flyers all over the neighborhood. Friends and neighbors were looking for him. I went to the animal shelter, sent him there, and went every day for over a month hoping to find him.”

Pam immediately uploaded Grayson’s photo to Petco Love Lost. He checked the daily match alerts and hoped that her familiar face would appear. “I received match alerts from Lost Love almost every day, but I never saw Grayson. His profile had been on the site for over 90 days,” he told CyberGuy.

The moment everything changes

Missy, a nearby resident, spotted a skinny cat in an alley near her home. She brought him in, took his photo, and then turned to Love Lost and asked if anyone had reported a cat like him missing.

Missy described how simple the process felt. “I used Lost Love to bring them back together,” he said. “I uploaded a photo of the cat we found and it was matched via AI to the photo uploaded by the owner.”

He soon received an AI match alert and learned that the street Grayson’s owner, Pam, had listed in her missing post was only a mile from her home. Missy immediately contacted Pam.

That message changed everything. “I’m sure if we hadn’t posted his picture and enabled the feature to match images, we would never have known what happened to Grayson,” Pam said. “And we couldn’t connect with Missy.”

AI TECH HELPES A SENIOR REconnect WITH HIS CAT AFTER 11 DAYS

Grayson, a house cat living in Plano, Texas, was finally found thanks to a neighbor who uploaded his photo to an AI search tool. (DANIEL PERRON/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s a long road for an aging cat

Grayson is almost 12 years old and has never lived outside. Pam said this makes this reunion even more emotional.

“I’m still amazed by Grayson’s journey,” he added. “I look at him and I can’t believe he’s made it through these 103 days. He’s almost 12, so he’s not a young cat.”

Pam said she still thinks about what those months were like for her. “[I] “I guess I’ll always wonder where he was and how many times he paused until he reached Missy’s loving home,” she said. “He must have known he would take care of her. It takes a special person’s time to reunite a beloved pet with its family. “Missy and her family did everything they could to reunite us with Grayson.”

Why is pet tech important during the holidays?

This season brings joy but also risks for pets. Visitors, travel and noisy celebrations create more chances for animals to escape or become frightened. Tools like AI photo matching help families take quick action when a pet goes missing. Love Lost brings together shelters and neighbors in one place so people like Pam and Missy can find each other.

What should you do if your pet gets lost?

Losing a pet can be overwhelming, but taking quick action helps. These steps walk you through what you need to do right away.

1) Search your home and neighborhood immediately

Look in closets, garages and under furniture. Walk down your street and ask your neighbors to check yards and sheds.

2) Upload your pet’s photo to Petco Love Lost

Take a clear photo and submit it to the site. AI photo matching alerts you when a potential match appears. It also helps others to contact you quickly.

3) Visit your local shelters in person

Shelters update their kennels throughout the day. Staff can guide you and help you mark your pet’s profile. Go back often until you get updates.

4) Share on local community groups

Use neighborhood apps, local Facebook groups and community forums. Add your pet’s photo, last known location, and your contact information.

5) Post flyers now

Use a large photo and simple details. Place flyers at busy intersections and near schools, parks and businesses.

6) Consult your pet’s microchip registry

If your pet is microchipped, search the registry or log into your account. Make sure the chip is registered to you, update your contact information, and mark your pet as lost so shelters and veterinarians can reach you quickly.

7) Stay consistent with your search

Check Love Lost alerts often. Visit the shelters and follow every clue. Determination made the difference for Pam and Grayson.

LOST DOGS ON JULY 4: HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE

A pet owner is seen cradling a cat in her lap. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

How can AirTags help you find a lost pet faster?

While tools like AI photo matching are invaluable when a pet goes missing, prevention and real-time tracking can make a huge difference in those first critical hours. This is where Apple AirTags come into play. AirTag is not a GPS tracking device, but it can still be a powerful rescue tool when used correctly. AirTag uses Apple’s extensive Find network when securely attached to your pet’s collar. This network consists of hundreds of millions of nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs that can anonymously and securely transmit the AirTag’s location to you.

If your pet wanders into a neighborhood, apartment complex, or crowded area, there’s a good chance another Apple device will pass nearby and automatically update the location. You don’t know who’s helping, and they don’t know it’s them, but their location may appear on your map within minutes. This can be especially useful for indoor cats or dogs who don’t usually travel very far. Even a hilly location can narrow your search area and save you valuable time.

Important limits to know: AirTags work best in crowded areas. Because they depend on nearby Apple devices, coverage may be limited in rural or remote locations. They are also not constantly updated like real GPS pet trackers. AirTags should therefore be viewed as a backup layer, not a replacement for microchips or dedicated pet trackers.

How to use AirTag safely with pets?

use one safe, pet-friendly AirTag holder It does not break easily.
This one breakaway collar To reduce the risk of injury in cats and dogs.
Make sure Find My Notifications It is open so that you can receive alerts quickly.
Combine with this microchipping and ID tags for best protection.

Used together, these tools give you multiple ways to reconnect with your pet, whether minutes or months have passed.

For a list of the best pet trackers, go to: cyberguy.com and search for “best pet tracking programs.”

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Kurt’s important takeaways

Grayson’s reunion is a reminder that technology works best when caring people start using it. The AI matched the photos, but Missy took action and Pam never stopped looking. Their persistence helped an elderly cat return home after a long and risky journey.

If your pet gets lost today, do you know the first step to bring it home quickly? Let us know by writing to us. cyberguy.com.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning technology journalist with a deep love for technology, hardware and devices that make life better, with his morning appearances on “FOX & Friends” and his contributions to Fox News and FOX Business. Have a technical question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter and share your voice, story idea or comment CyberGuy.com.